Florida suspends eye specialist's medical license

June 23, 2011|By Bob LaMendola, Sun Sentinel

HOLLYWOOD — Florida health officials said on Thursday they have suspended the medical license of Hollywood eye specialist Dr. Alan Mendelsohn, who was sentenced to four years in prison on federal charges related to political fundraising fraud.

Mendelsohn pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, filing false tax returns, and lying to FBI agents, and was sentenced on June 1.

The state Department of Health said the conviction requires suspending his medical license.

Mendelsohn was an influential lobbyist who admitted to paying $82,000 to a former legislator to prevent a vote against a bill he supported. He also admitted to siphoning $330,000 from political action committees he controlled, and failing to report more than $600,000 in taxable income from his lobbying and medical work.